Related Links

Investigation opened in 3-year-old's shooting death

A 3-year-old boy died early Sunday at this Port Charlotte home after a gun with which he was playing accidentally fired, striking him, authorities said. (Photo provided by Charlotte County Sheriff's Office)

Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 9:37 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 19, 2012 at 10:40 a.m.

PORT CHARLOTTE - UPDATE...The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is conducting a criminal investigation into the death of the 3-year-old Port Charlotte boy who died of a gunshot wound early Sunday morning.

“The investigation will be sent to the State Attorney's Office,” Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Carpenter said Monday Morning. “The State Attorney will determine if there will be charges.”

Detectives said the child apparently gained access to an unsecured firearm and suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

Deputies were sent to a home in the 21300 block of Hubbard Avenue at 3:40 a.m. Sunday. EMS transported the child to Peace River Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Officials have interviewed the child's parents and no charges have been filed at this time pending the outcome of the investigation. Carpenter would not release their names, or indicate the type of firearm that was used.

Florida law states than anyone who allows a child access to a loaded firearm, which has not been secured with either a trigger lock or locked storage container, is guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

ORIGINAL...

STAFF REPORT

A 3-year-old boy died of a gunshot wound this morning after he got hold of an unsecured firearm.

Sheriff's deputies say the fatal accident happened in a Port Charlotte home in the 21000 block of Hubbard Avenue at about 3:40 a.m. Paramedics took the child to Peace River Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Detectives have interviewed the boy's parents. No charges have been filed but the case remains under investigation. No names have been released.

<p><em>PORT CHARLOTTE</em> - <i>UPDATE...</i>The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is conducting a criminal investigation into the death of the 3-year-old Port Charlotte boy who died of a gunshot wound early Sunday morning.</p><p>“The investigation will be sent to the State Attorney's Office,” Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Carpenter said Monday Morning. “The State Attorney will determine if there will be charges.” </p><p>Carpenter declined to say more. Calls to Sheriff Bill Cameron were not immediately returned. </p><p>Detectives said the child apparently gained access to an unsecured firearm and suffered a fatal gunshot wound. </p><p>Deputies were sent to a home in the 21300 block of Hubbard Avenue at 3:40 a.m. Sunday. EMS transported the child to Peace River Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.</p><p>Officials have interviewed the child's parents and no charges have been filed at this time pending the outcome of the investigation. Carpenter would not release their names, or indicate the type of firearm that was used.</p><p>Florida law states than anyone who allows a child access to a loaded firearm, which has not been secured with either a trigger lock or locked storage container, is guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.</p><p><i>ORIGINAL...</i></p><p>STAFF REPORT</p><p>A 3-year-old boy died of a gunshot wound this morning after he got hold of an unsecured firearm.</p><p>Sheriff's deputies say the fatal accident happened in a Port Charlotte home in the 21000 block of Hubbard Avenue at about 3:40 a.m. Paramedics took the child to Peace River Regional Medical Center, where he died.</p><p>Detectives have interviewed the boy's parents. No charges have been filed but the case remains under investigation. No names have been released.</p>